Merica Mile 2014

Baltimore, MD - On Thursday, September 11th, four Baltimore runners celebrated America and patriotism by running one mile around Patterson Park. At 7:15pm, the group stood before a lowered flag and proudly sang the National Anthem.

The temperature was still in the mid 80s at start time, but we were treated to one of the most awesome skies ever - captured in the above photograph by Ted Stevens, who happened to be walking his dog through the Park at the time.

From the gun, Ed Aramayo and Graham Peck darted ahead of myself and PJ Anderer. Before the race, we had serious doubts that our aggregate time would be better than 24 minutes. But in the Merica Mile, anything can happen. Ed eventually dropped Graham and blazed to the finish in 4:57. Graham, on his 15th mile of the evening, managed a 5:07. PJ and I ran together the entire way, before I was able to hold him off, 5:45 to 5:48.

The first Merica Mile was held on the track at TNT two years ago, and we didn't hold the event last year. But rest assured, this race is here to stay. We'll find a way!

'Merica's Mile

We had terrific conditions last night, it was absolutely perfect for running a mile on the track. 19 competitors toed the line, following our moment of silence to honor the significance of the day, to run 1609 meters. With some participants electing to incorporate the mile into the workout rather than "race," it meant Tim Burns was on a solo mission to take the inaugural title. Tim was at 2:20 and 3:31 at half and 3/4, but wasn't able to pull back that little bit of time to squeeze under 4:40. But, he did get the win, and a season best, in 4:42.46.

Second place was nearly 100m back, but it became a race as Joel Brusewitz held off Remus Medley, and then it was another gap back to Joel Brusewitz, Drew Thivierge, and Diane Heiser, our women's champion. Diane had some comfortable pacesetting from Nate Brigham and Alex Battaglino as they took her through the halfway point in 2:40. She went on to negative split the back half, finishing in 5:13.42.

On behalf of your country, we commend you for doing your part in this Magic Mile Global Team Challenge! Make sure you log your result on www.marathonTALK.com so the US gets credit! I'll post the picture later, for now you can check the twitpic. Results below.

Here we are at the start of 'Merica's Mile, before our moment of silence. twitter.com/BMoreRunning/s…
— RunBaltimore (@BMoreRunning) September 12, 2012

'Merica's Mile

September 11, 2012

Baltimore, MD

Overall Results               Time

1. Tim Burns                  4:42.46

2. Joel Brusewitz            4:56.83
3. Remus Medley           4:57.22
4. Joel Gladfelter            5:10.94
5. Andrew Thivierge       5:11.39

6. Diane Heiser*            5:13.42

7. Nate Brigham             5:17.71
8. Alex Battaglino           5:17.94
9. Matt Franco               5:31.83
10. Dan Miranda            5:32.93
11. Steve Febish            5:32.99
12. Megan DiGregorio*  5:33.71
13. Ben Steinberg           5:34.09
14. Meg McNew*         5:37.71
15. Sara Breedlove*      5:39.30
16. Melissa Tanner*       5:41.60
17. Emily Hurley*           6:27.36
18. Sara Damiano*         7:01.01
19. Anonymous              7:43.91